JP4812097B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that prints an image on a print medium based on a job related to printing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with the increase in speed and image quality of electrophotographic printing apparatuses and inkjet printing apparatuses, a business type called print-on-demand has been emerging. Hereinafter, Print On Demand is abbreviated as POD.

  POD aims to handle printing processing in a short delivery time without using a large-scale device or system by dividing jobs handled by the printing device into relatively small lot jobs. In particular, in this POD, digital printing using electronic data is realized by making the best use of digital image forming apparatuses such as digital copying machines and digital multifunction peripherals instead of large-scale printing machines and printing methods. is doing. And the POD market of the business type by this POD is being developed.

  In such a POD market, digitization has become more integrated than in the conventional printing industry, and management and control using computers have been penetrating, and the use of computers is approaching the level of the conventional printing industry. .

  In such a background, the POD market includes PFP, which is called a printing service of a copy / print shop printing company, and CRD, which is called an in-house printing service. Here, PFP is an abbreviation for Print For Pay. CRD is an abbreviation for Centralized Reproduction Department.

  In such a printing process in the POD market, a plurality of jobs may be simultaneously input to the image forming apparatus, or a job with a high priority may be input while a large-capacity job is being executed. In this case, the image forming apparatus needs a control function for determining which job is preferentially processed.

  Also, with the control function that takes into account the print priority of the job in the image forming apparatus, when a new job with a high print priority is input during the printing process, the preceding job is temporarily interrupted to continue Execute print processing for jobs with high priority. A configuration is known in which the interrupted preceding job is resumed after the print processing of the subsequent job is completed.

Moreover, there is Patent Document 1 as a configuration for efficiently performing printing processing. In this patent document 1, the print control device generates print data so that data for two pages is printed on a sheet of paper twice the size of the sheet on which the print data is to be printed. And the structure which produces | generates an output material faster than the case where it prints on the same size paper is disclosed by cutting in half after completion | finish of printing.
JP-A-11-2127750

  However, in the above-described prior art, for example, when a new job that interrupts the job being processed and executes the print processing is input during the print processing in the image forming apparatus, the preceding job is temporarily stored. And the subsequent job print processing is executed. Then, after the print processing of the subsequent job is completed, the interrupted preceding job is resumed. That is, there is a possibility that the processing of the preceding job is delayed by the time for which the processing of the preceding job is interrupted for the subsequent job processing.

  Also, in this example of printing processing, when a preceding job is interrupted and a subsequent job is executed, the print media may be replaced for the subsequent job, or the printed paper may be removed from the paper discharge unit. . Therefore, the image forming apparatus stops to process subsequent jobs, and the stop time of the image forming apparatus increases.

  Even when the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, when an interrupt job occurs, the end time of the preceding job is delayed from the originally scheduled time, and the purpose cannot be achieved. For example, when the configuration of Patent Document 1 is used, a printing process that requires one hour of printing processing can be completed in about half the time. In this case, for example, when the print processing of the preceding job is started from 12:00, the end time is scheduled to be about 12:30. Here, when an interrupt job occurs, the end time of the preceding job is delayed by the processing time of the interrupt job. As a result, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a job interruption occurs, there is a possibility that a delay occurs in the end time of the preceding job.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. The purpose is to realize efficient print processing by executing print processing of an interrupt job while maintaining print processing of a preceding job even when an interrupt job occurs.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image forming apparatus that prints an image on a print medium based on a job related to printing,
Print control means for printing a first image based on the first job on a first print medium;
Discrimination for discriminating an empty area on the first print medium in which a first image based on the first job is not arranged when a second job to be processed by interrupting the first job is input Means,
When the second image based on the second job cannot be arranged in the free area of the first print medium determined by the determination unit, the first image and the first image are extracted from the first print medium. Change means for changing to a second print medium larger than the first print medium on which both the second image and the second image can be arranged,
The print control unit prints the first image on the first print medium for the first image based on the first job before the second job is input, and the second image After the job is input, when the change unit changes the first print medium to the second print medium, both the first image and the second image are printed on the second print medium. If the second image based on the second job can be arranged in the free area of the first print medium determined by the determining means, the printing is controlled as described above. Printing is controlled so that both the first image and the second image are printed on one printing medium .

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image forming apparatus that prints an image on a print medium based on a job related to printing,
Storage means for storing print medium information of a plurality of types of sizes stored in the image forming apparatus;
When a second job to be processed by interrupting the first job is input, the first image based on the first job and the first image based on the print medium information stored in the storage unit Selecting means for selecting a print medium on which a second image based on the second job can be arranged.

  According to the present invention, even when an interrupt job occurs, the interrupt job print process is executed while maintaining the print process of the preceding job, so that an efficient print process can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus system capable of executing an image forming process including a plurality of steps.

  In particular, in the present invention, an image when an image forming apparatus that receives image data edited by the image editing apparatus and performs print processing receives a plurality of jobs (for example, a print job, hereinafter abbreviated as a job). A configuration for efficiently performing formation and printing control will be described.

  Also, a configuration for efficiently executing image formation and printing control when a job having a printing priority is input to the image forming apparatus will be described.

  In addition, a description will be given of a configuration for efficiently executing job processing in an environment in which a job that includes a large number of pages is printed as in a printing process performed in a commercial printing market.

  More specifically, based on the job attributes described in the setting information (for example, job ticket (JT)), a free area of paper on which a job (previous job) that has already been printed is recorded. The subsequent job (interrupt job) having a higher priority is combined and printed. As a result, it is possible to continue the printing process without reducing the throughput of the preceding job. This composite printing is sometimes called gang printing. The job attributes include, for example, the finished size, the output paper size, the type of post-processing process, and the like.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes an image editing apparatus applied to the present invention. As the image editing apparatus 1001, a computer having a central processing unit is generally used.

  Reference numeral 1002 denotes an image forming apparatus applied to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1002 includes various types of apparatuses such as an apparatus dedicated to monochrome printing, an apparatus capable of color output, and an apparatus capable of large-capacity output.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes a job monitoring apparatus applied to the present invention. The job monitoring apparatus 1003 can perform operations such as monitoring jobs input to the image forming apparatus 1002 and changing job priority.

  A network 1004 connects the image editing apparatus 1001, the image forming apparatus 1002, and the job monitoring apparatus 1003 to each other.

  Next, the configuration of the image editing apparatus 1001 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image editing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 2001 denotes a controller of the image editing apparatus 1001. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a CPU for operating a program for controlling the entire image editing apparatus 1001. Reference numeral 2003 denotes a ROM that stores various programs for starting up the image editing apparatus 1001.

  Reference numeral 2004 denotes a RAM that functions as a data work area or a temporary save area for operating a program for controlling the image editing apparatus 1001. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a hard disk drive (HDD) that is a secondary storage device for storing program data to be expanded and operated in the RAM 2004, application software programs, and data required by the application software.

  A network communication unit 2006 performs data input / output processing with the image forming apparatus 1002. Reference numeral 2007 denotes an image data transmission unit that transmits image data formed on the image editing apparatus 1001 to the image display unit 2009.

  Reference numeral 2008 denotes a cable for transmitting image data from the image data transmission unit 2007 to the external image display unit 2009. Reference numeral 2009 denotes an image display unit for displaying the image data received from the image data transmission unit 2008.

  An image processing unit 2010 performs various types of image processing on data (for example, bitmap image data) received from the network communication unit 2006. The image processing unit 2010 includes a combining function for combining bitmap image data for two pages of printing paper with bitmap image data for one page, and a removing function for removing an illegal drawing portion existing in the bitmap image data. ing. Further, the image processing unit 2010 has a correction function for correcting the printing position when it is determined that the bitmap image data is skewed in the reference direction. As described above, the image processing unit 2010 has various image processing functions for digitally editing bitmap image data.

  Reference numeral 2011 denotes a network cable for receiving image data from an external apparatus and transmitting print data to the external apparatus. A network cable 2011 is connected to the network communication unit 2006. An external input / output device I / F 2012 serves as an interface with the external input / output device. For example, a keyboard 2013 and a pointing device 2014 are connected to the external input / output device I / F 2012.

  Note that the job monitoring apparatus 1003 also has the same hardware configuration as the image editing apparatus 1001.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1002 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 1002 mainly includes a scanner unit 3001, a laser exposure unit 3002, an image forming unit 3004, a fixing unit 3005, a paper feed / conveyance unit 3006, and a printer control unit 3010 for controlling them.

  The scanner unit 3001 performs processing of a process of optically reading a document image by illuminating a document placed on a document table and converting the image into an electrical signal to create image data. A laser exposure unit 3002 causes a light beam such as a laser beam modulated according to image data to enter a rotary polygon mirror (polygon mirror) 3009 that rotates at an equal angular velocity, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 3003 as reflected scanning light.

  The image forming unit 3004 is realized by having four series of developing units (developing stations) for a series of electrophotographic processes. This series of electrophotographic processes includes a process in which the photosensitive drum 3003 is rotationally driven and charged by a charger, and a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3003 is developed with toner by a laser exposure unit 3002. Further, there is a process in which the toner image is transferred to a printing paper (also referred to as a sheet), and minute toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 3003 without being transferred at that time is collected.

  Four series of development units arranged in the order of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are magenta, yellow, The image forming operation by the black developing unit is sequentially executed. By this timing control, a full color toner image without color misregistration is transferred onto the sheet.

  The fixing unit 3005 includes a combination of a roller and a belt, and includes a heat source such as a halogen heater. The toner on the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred by the image forming unit 3004 is melted and fixed by heat and pressure.

  The sheet feeding / conveying unit 3006 has one or more sheet storage boxes 3008 typified by a sheet cassette or a paper deck. In response to an instruction from the printer control unit 3010, the sheet feeding / conveying unit 3008 separates one sheet from a plurality of sheets stored in the sheet storage case 3008, and conveys the separated sheet to the image forming unit 3004 and the fixing unit 3005. In the conveyed sheet, the toner images of the respective colors are transferred by the above-described developing station, and a full-color toner image is finally formed on the sheet. Further, when forming an image on both sides of the sheet, control is performed so that the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 3005 passes through the double-sided conveyance path 3007 that conveys the sheet to the image forming unit 3004 again.

  The printer control unit 3010 communicates with a control unit 3011 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1002 and executes control according to the instruction. In addition to this, while managing the status of the scanner unit 3002, the laser exposure unit 3002, the image forming unit 3004, the fixing unit 3005, and the paper feeding / conveying unit 3006, an instruction is given so that the whole can operate in harmony and smoothly. I do.

Next, the configuration of the main controller (control unit 3001) of the image forming apparatus 1002 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main controller of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 4001 denotes a main controller of the image forming apparatus 1002. Reference numeral 4002 denotes an operation unit for operating the image forming apparatus 1002. For example, the operation unit 4002 includes a touch panel including a display unit and an input unit. Reference numeral 4003 denotes a network cable for connecting to an external device via a network.

  Reference numeral 4004 denotes a line cable for connecting to an external device via a telephone line. Reference numeral 4005 denotes a CPU that operates a program for controlling the entire main controller 4001. Reference numeral 4006 denotes a RAM managed by a program operating on the CPU 4005. The RAM 4006 is used for purposes such as a reception buffer for temporarily storing data received from the outside and an image data buffer for temporarily storing image data rasterized by the RIP 4021.

  Reference numeral 4007 denotes an operation unit interface (I / F) for connecting the operation unit 4002 and the main controller 4001. Reference numeral 4008 denotes a network interface (I / F) for connecting the main controller 4001 to the network. Reference numeral 4009 denotes a modem for connecting the main controller 4001 to a telephone line.

Reference numeral 4010 denotes a ROM for storing programs, data, and the like that operate on the CPU 4005. Reference numeral 4011 denotes a hard disk drive (HDD) which is a nonvolatile storage device capable of storing various data for a long period of time. Reference numeral 4012 denotes a CPU bus.
Reference numeral 4024 denotes an image bus 4024 connected to a hardware group for performing image processing.

  Reference numeral 4013 denotes an image bus interface (I / F) for connecting the CPU bus 4012 and the image bus 4024. Reference numeral 4021 denotes a raster image processor (RIP) having a function of converting image description data input from the outside into bitmap image data.

  Reference numeral 4014 denotes a RIP interface (I / F) for connecting the RIP 4021 and the image bus 4024 via the image transfer bus 4018. Reference numeral 4015 denotes a data compression unit for compressing data. Reference numeral 4022 denotes a scanner, which corresponds to the scanning unit 3001 in FIG. A printer unit 4023 corresponds to the laser exposure unit 3002, the image forming unit 3004, the fixing unit 3005, and the paper feeding / conveying unit 3006 in FIG.

  Reference numeral 4016 denotes a device interface (I / F) for connecting the scanner 4022 and the printer unit 4023 to the image bus 4024 by the data buses 4019 and 4040, respectively.

  Reference numeral 4017 denotes an image processing unit for performing various kinds of image processing on the bitmap image data generated by the scanner 4022 and the RIP 4021. The image processing unit 4017 combines a bitmap image data for two pages of printing paper with a bitmap image data for one page, and an illegal drawing portion generated by mixing of dust or the like when a document is read by the scanner 4022 The removal function which removes is provided. Further, the image processing unit 4017 has a correction function for correcting the printing position when the scanner 4022 scans an original and scans it obliquely. As described above, the image processing unit 4017 has various image processing functions for digitally editing bitmap image data.

  Next, as an example of a post-processing apparatus that can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1002, a configuration of a finisher unit will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a finisher unit that can be attached to the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  The finisher 5001 performs various controls such as start, interruption, and end of processing according to instructions from the main controller 4001.

  The sheet placed in the paper feed mechanism 5002 enters the finisher 5001 when the finisher 5001 starts processing. Inside the finisher 5001, there are a sample tray 5003 and a stack tray 5004, which are switched and discharged according to the type of job and the number of discharged sheets.

  The sample tray is a tray provided for confirming the printing result during printing. For example, when the user instructs to change the discharge destination to the sample tray during printing, the discharge destination of the print result is temporarily changed to the sample tray. The user confirms the printed matter discharged to the sample tray and determines whether to continue printing as it is or to cancel printing and change the print data.

  There are two typical sorting methods (sorting) for sorting and discharging sheets. One is a bin sorting method in which sheets are distributed to each paper discharge bin for a plurality of paper discharge bins. The other is a shift sort method in which an electronic sort function and a bin (or tray) are shifted in the frontward direction with respect to the direction in which the sheet is discharged from the finisher 5001 and the sheets are sorted for each job.

  The electronic sort function is called collate. This is a function (collating function) that changes the buffered page order and discharge order when a large-capacity memory is mounted on the main controller 4001 and can be used as a buffer memory. By using this collating function, an electronic sorting function can also be supported.

  There is also a group function, which is a function for sorting sheets for each job, whereas sorting is a function for sorting sheets for each job.

  Further, when the staple mode is set for the job to be output, control is performed so that the sheet is discharged onto the stack tray 5004. However, at that time, before the sheets are discharged to the stack tray 5004, the sheets are sequentially stored in the processing tray inside the finisher 5001 for each job and bound by the stapler on the processing tray. Then, the bound sheet bundle is discharged to the stack tray 5004.

  In addition to the above two trays, there are a Z-folder 5005 for folding paper into a Z-shape, and a puncher 5006 for punching two (or three) holes for files, depending on the type of job. Each process.

  For example, when the user sets the Z-folding process via the operation unit 4002 as the setting related to the sheet processing for the job to be output, the Z-folder 5005 executes the folding process for the sheet for the job. Then, control is performed so that the paper passes through the apparatus and is discharged onto discharge trays such as the stack tray 5004 and the sample tray 5003.

  Further, when the user sets punch processing via the operation unit 4002 as the setting related to the sheet processing for the job to be output, the punch processing by the puncher 5006 is executed on the sheet for the job. Then, control is performed so that the paper passes through the apparatus and is discharged onto discharge trays such as the stack tray 5004 and the sample tray 5003.

  Further, the saddle stitcher 5007 binds the central portion of the sheet at two places, and then folds the sheet by biting the central portion of the sheet with a roller to create a booklet like a brochure (bookbinding processing). Do. The sheets bound by the saddle stitcher 5007 are discharged to a booklet tray 5008. Whether or not a sheet processing operation such as bookbinding processing by the saddle stitcher 5007 can be executed is also based on the sheet processing setting set by the user for the job to be output as described above.

  The inserter 5009 is for sending a sheet set on the insert tray 5010 to one of the discharge trays such as the stack tray 5004 and the sample tray 5003 without passing through the image forming apparatus 1002. As a result, the sheet set on the inserter 5009 can be inserted (inserted) between the sheets (sheets printed and discharged by the image forming apparatus 1002) fed into the finisher 5001. The insert tray 5010 of the inserter 5009 is set face-up by the user, and is fed in order from the uppermost sheet by a pickup roller.

  Accordingly, the sheet from the inserter 5009 is discharged in a face-down state by being conveyed to the stack tray 5004 or the sample tray 5003 as it is. When sending to the saddle stitcher 5007, after sending it to the puncher side, it is switched back and sent to match the face orientation. Whether or not a sheet processing operation such as sheet insertion processing by the inserter 5009 can be executed is also based on the sheet processing setting set by the user for the job to be output as described above.

  Next, the trimmer 5011 (cutting machine) will be described.

  In the saddle stitcher 5007, the booklet (saddle-stitched booklet) is output to this trimmer 5011. At that time, the output of the booklet is first fed by a predetermined length by a roller, and cut by a predetermined length by a cutter unit 5012. As a result, the end portions that are scattered among a plurality of pages in the booklet are neatly aligned. Then, it is stored in the booklet hold unit 5013. Whether or not the sheet processing operation such as the cutting process by the trimmer 5011 can be executed is also based on the sheet processing setting set by the user for the job to be output as described above.

  Next, as an example of a post-processing apparatus that can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1002, the configuration of a large-capacity stacker apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a large-capacity stacker apparatus that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The large-capacity stacker 6001 is controlled in accordance with an instruction from the main controller 4001 such as start, interruption, and end of processing.

  The sheet placed in the paper feed mechanism 6002 enters the large capacity stacker 6001 when the processing of the large capacity stacker 6001 is started. Inside the large-capacity stacker 6001 are a sample tray 6003 and a stack tray 6004, which are switched and discharged according to the type of job and the number of sheets to be discharged.

  In the stack tray 6004, the discharged sheet cannot be removed while the stack tray 6004 is being discharged. Therefore, when taking out the printed sheet from the stack tray 6004, it is necessary to interrupt the output to the stack tray 6004.

  Next, an operation screen of application software having an image editing function that operates on the image editing apparatus 1001 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an operation screen of application software having an image editing function that operates on the image editing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 7001 denotes an operation screen generated by application software having an image editing function. Reference numeral 7002 denotes an image editing area. An operator who performs image editing can instruct various image editing processes on the image indicated by the image editing area 7002. Designation of the processing content of the image editing processing can be performed using various controls 7004 (menus, buttons, etc.).

  Reference numeral 7003 denotes a thumbnail display unit. A thumbnail display portion 7003 is a portion that displays a thumbnail image of a page created on application software. The thumbnail display portion 7003 can browse thumbnail images of all pages included in the job by operating the scroll bar 7003a.

  Next, an operation screen of printer driver software operating on the image editing apparatus 1001 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a general view showing an operation screen of printer driver software operating on the image editing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 8001 denotes an operation screen generated by the printer driver software.

  When an image processed on application software running on the image editing apparatus 1001 is transmitted as a job to the image forming apparatus 1002, various print settings relating to the job can be performed via the operation screen 8001.

  Reference numeral 8002 denotes an operation unit for performing various job settings. In the operation unit 8002, the number of print pages and the number of copies of a print document, and a detailed setting screen can be displayed to perform various print settings such as a paper type (print medium type), imposition layout, and a color image processing method. Is possible.

  Reference numeral 8003 denotes a button for instructing job transmission (printing). The operator can send (print) the job to the image forming apparatus 1002 by pressing a button 8003.

  Reference numeral 8004 denotes a text box for instructing the print priority of the job. An operator who gives an instruction to print an image on the image editing apparatus 1001 can instruct the priority of print processing by a text box 8004 for instructing the priority. Further, it may be possible to instruct an interrupt attribute for executing a printing process by interrupting a preceding job. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1002 controls the print order of received jobs according to the print priority.

  Next, job monitoring software operating on the job monitoring apparatus 1003 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is an overview diagram showing an outline of job monitoring software operating on the job monitoring apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  On the operation screen 9001 generated by the job monitoring software, the status of the job on the image forming apparatus 1002 is displayed, and various instructions such as deletion, interruption, and resumption of the interrupted job are given to the job. Is possible.

  Reference numeral 9002 denotes a list display section of jobs operating on the image forming apparatus 1002. When a job is input to the image forming apparatus 1002, the job is displayed on the list display unit 9002. In addition, the job that has been processed is deleted from the list display unit 9002.

  Reference numeral 9003 denotes a priority display unit that indicates the priority of printing of jobs displayed on the list display unit 9002. In the priority display portion 9003, priority information assigned to the job designated in the text box 8004 of the operation screen 8001 in FIG. 8 is displayed.

  Reference numeral 9004 denotes an operation unit for instructing the job displayed on the list display unit 9002 to delete, suspend, or resume the suspended job.

  Next, an example of print data processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating a detection example when the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention detects a portion (empty area) where printing is not performed on a print sheet based on print data included in a preceding job. It is.

  Reference numerals 10001 and 11001 denote print sheets. In the first embodiment, a case where a print sheet 10001 having a size of 297 mm in the vertical direction and 210 mm in the horizontal direction is designated as a print job will be described as an example. Note that the image forming apparatus 1002 holds, for example, the RAM 4006 and the like in the vertical and horizontal sizes for each paper type.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 1002 holds information that “A4 size is 297 mm in the vertical direction and 210 mm in the horizontal direction” and “A5 size is 210 mm in the vertical direction and 148.5 mm in the horizontal direction”. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can calculate the print paper size even when a specific size such as “A4”, “A5”, or the like is not designated as the print job. That is, the image forming apparatus 1002 stores print medium information of a plurality of sizes stored in the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. In FIG. 23, information on the size of the printing paper (print medium information 2301) is held, but other information may be held.

  Reference numerals 10002 and 11002 denote image areas of a preceding job printed on the printing paper 10001. Here, the case where the vertical size (longitudinal direction) size of the image regions 10002 and 11002 (FIG. 11) is 210 mm and the horizontal size (short direction) is 170 mm will be described as an example. Here, the image area means an image itself to be printed on a print sheet in a preceding job, or an area including both the image and a margin image secured around the image.

  FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 assume both the case where the margin image is not required and the case where it is required. Further, the size of the image area can be calculated by the image forming apparatus 1002 analyzing the received job. Specifically, the job received by the image forming apparatus 1002 is described in a page description language that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1002 can calculate the size of an image to be recorded based on the received job by analyzing the received page description language.

  In the first embodiment, when an image included in the image area 10002 is printed on the printing paper 10001, the upper left of the printing paper 10001 is set as the origin. That is, the upper left of the printing paper 10001 and the upper left of the image area 10002 (or the upper left of the blank area secured in the image area 10002) are arranged to coincide with each other.

  Reference numerals 10003 and 10004 denote cutting positions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction for cutting out an extra area of the print paper 10001 after the image on the image area 10002 is printed on the print paper 10001 and output. After printing by the image forming apparatus 1002, cutting processing is performed according to information on the cutting positions 10003 and 10004 using a post-processing device such as a finisher.

  Reference numeral 11003 denotes an empty area generated as a result of arranging the print data included in the print job to be processed on the print paper 11001.

  The empty area 11003 is obtained by subtracting the vertical size of the image area 1102 from the vertical size of the print paper 11001 and the size obtained by subtracting the horizontal size of the image area 1102 from the horizontal size of the print paper 11001. Calculated. In the first embodiment, the empty area 11003 shown in FIG. 11 is calculated (derived) from the vertical direction calculated by the above-described calculation method: 87 mm (297-210 mm) and the horizontal direction: 40 mm (210-170 mm). it can.

  FIG. 12 shows a printing position when printing an image previously held in the image forming apparatus 1002 in the empty area of the printing paper described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating.

  Reference numeral 12001 denotes printing paper. The size of the printing paper 12001 conforms to the size of the printing paper described in FIGS. Reference numeral 12002 denotes an empty area where print data is not drawn by the preceding job. The size and arrangement of the area 12002 conforms to the size and arrangement of the image area described with reference to FIGS.

  Reference numeral 12003 denotes an image drawn by print data of a job combined with a preceding job. In the first embodiment, an explanation is given using an image 12003 having a vertical size of 70 mm and a horizontal size of 120 mm.

  Reference numeral 12004 denotes a common empty area in the empty area on the right side of the printing paper 12001 and the empty area on the lower side of the printing paper 12001.

  Reference numeral 12005 denotes a part of an empty area on the right side of the printing paper 12001. The free area on the right side of the printing paper 12001 is a combined area of the free area 12005 and the empty area 12004 (hereinafter, the right empty area).

  Reference numeral 12006 denotes a part of the empty area below the print sheet 12001. The lower free area of the printing paper 12001 is a combined area of the empty area 12006 and the empty area 12004 (hereinafter referred to as the lower empty area).

  When placing the image 12003 in the empty areas 12004, 12005, 12006, the vertical size of the image 12003 and the vertical size of the right and lower empty areas, the horizontal size of the image 12003, the right side and the lower side Compare the horizontal size of the free space. If it is determined in the comparison result that the size of the image 12003 is smaller than the right or lower empty area, the image position is determined so that the image 12003 is arranged in the empty area.

  That is, in FIG. 12, since the horizontal size of the image 12003 is larger than the horizontal size of the right empty area, it is determined that the image 12003 cannot be placed in the right empty area. On the other hand, the horizontal size (120 mm) and vertical size (70 mm) of the image 12003 fall within the horizontal size (170 mm) and vertical size (87 mm) of the lower empty area. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1002 determines that the image 12003 can be arranged in the lower free area.

  FIG. 13 illustrates a first image by a first job processed in advance and a second job by a second job different from the first job in the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the printing paper and the position of an image at the time of printing an image.

  13001 is a print sheet. The size of the printing paper 13001 conforms to the size of the printing paper described in FIGS.

  Reference numeral 13002 denotes a first image area formed by the preceding first job. The size and arrangement of the first image area 13002 conforms to the size and arrangement of the image area described in FIGS.

  13003 is a second image by a second job different from the first job. The size and arrangement of the second image 13003 conforms to the size and arrangement of the image area described in FIG.

  Reference numerals 13004 and 13006 denote vertical and horizontal cutting positions for cutting off a part of the printing paper in order to form a final printed matter in the first job.

  Reference numerals 13005 and 13007 denote cutting positions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction for cutting off a part of the sheet in order to form the final printed matter in the second job.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an outline of a job queue for managing jobs when a plurality of jobs are received in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 14001 denotes a job queue. In the image forming apparatus 1002, when a job is received from an external device (for example, the image editing apparatus 1001), the job is stored in the job queue 14001 and held until the image forming apparatus 1002 shifts to a printable state. The job queue 14001 is secured on the RAM 4006 (FIG. 4), for example.

  Reference numerals 14002 to 14004 schematically indicate jobs. In particular, reference numeral 14002 denotes a job that has shifted to a print state. Reference numeral 14003 denotes a job waiting in the job queue 1001. A job 14004 is to be submitted to the image forming apparatus 1002 from an external device.

  Since the job queue 14001 has a FIFO format structure, jobs input to the image forming apparatus 1002 are printed according to the input order. However, it is possible to identify whether the print priority is high or low as a job attribute, and when a job with a high print priority is received, the print job with a high priority is preferentially processed.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a job output result when a second job having a high print priority is input during printing of the first job in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 15001 denotes an image area printed by the first job processed in advance. Reference numeral 15002 denotes an image area printed by a second job having a high priority that is input during the processing of the first job. In particular, here, the case where the second job is printed in parallel with respect to the 2460th page to the 2959th page of the first job is shown.

  Next, print control processing of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating print control processing of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Each step in this flowchart is executed by the control unit 3001 of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the printing control procedure of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S 16001, when the image forming apparatus 1002 receives a job from an external device, the image forming apparatus 1002 determines whether the received job is a high priority job (hereinafter referred to as an interrupt job). As described above, the job includes information for identifying the print priority level as a job attribute. The image forming apparatus 1002 can determine a job with high priority by analyzing information included in the job.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 1002 performs the processing in steps S16003 and S16004 when the printing priority added to the interrupt job input during the processing of the preceding job is higher than the printing priority added to the preceding job. Execute. The interrupt job may include an attribute indicating that it should be interrupted and processed as an attribute.

  If the received job is not an interrupt job (NO in step S 16001), the process advances to step S 16008, and the image forming apparatus 1002 stores (registers) the received job in the job queue 14001 and ends the process. On the other hand, if the received job is an interrupt job (YES in step S 16001), the process advances to step S 16002.

  In step S 16002, the image forming apparatus 1002 determines whether there is a job that is being printed (hereinafter referred to as a preceding job). That is, it is determined whether or not the job 14002 shown in FIG. 14 exists.

  If no preceding job exists (NO in step S 16002), the process advances to step S 16008, the received job is stored in the job queue 14001, and the process ends.

  Note that for a job registered in the job queue 14001, after the job is printed, the trimming 5011 (FIG. 5) performs the trimming process on the printed sheet in the post-processing apparatus as necessary. It will be. For example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the post-processing apparatus cuts the printed paper that has been printed on the image area 10002 at the cutting positions 10003 and 10004. After cutting, the partially printed paper including the image area 10002 is discharged to the designated discharge unit, and the other partially printed paper is discarded to the designated discarding unit.

  On the other hand, if a preceding job exists (YES in step S 16002), the process proceeds to step S 16003. In step S <b> 16003, the image forming apparatus 1002 determines the free area of the page to be printed by the preceding job using the method described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. That is, when an interrupt job to be processed by interrupting the preceding job is input, the image forming apparatus 1002 determines a free area where an image based on the preceding job is not arranged on the print medium.

  In step S16004, the image forming apparatus 1002 determines whether it is possible to arrange the image area to be printed by the interrupt job in the empty area determined in step S16003 by the method described with reference to FIG. To do. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1002 determines whether or not an image based on the interrupt job can be arranged in the free area of the print medium determined in S16004.

  If the image forming apparatus 1002 determines in step S16004 that it is impossible to arrange the image area to be printed by the interrupt job in the empty area determined in step S16003 (NO in step S16004), the process advances to step S16008. move on. In step S16008, the image forming apparatus 1002 stores the received job in the job queue 14001 and ends the process.

  In step S16008, if the image of the interrupt job cannot be arranged in the free area, the image forming apparatus 1002 performs control so that the preceding job and the interrupt job are printed on different print media. Thereafter, the cutting machine cuts each print result at a position designated by each job. Note that the cutting machine may be attached to the image forming apparatus 1002 or may be independent of the image forming apparatus 1002.

  On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 1002 determines that the image area to be printed by the interrupt job can be arranged in the free area determined in step S16003 (YES in step S16004), the process advances to step S16005.

  In step S16005, the image forming apparatus 1002 uses the image processing unit 4017 having an image composition function to execute an image composition process for compositing an interrupt job image in the free area determined in step S16003. In step S16006, the image forming apparatus 1002 transmits the page in which the images of the preceding job and the interrupt job are combined in step S16005 to the printer unit 4023, and executes print processing.

  That is, if the image forming apparatus 1002 can place an interrupt job image in an empty area on the print medium as a result of the determination in S16004, the image of the preceding job and the image of the interrupt job are formed on the print medium. To control printing.

  In step S16007, it is determined whether all images to be printed in the interrupt job have been printed. If all the images to be printed by the interrupt job have been printed (YES in step S16007), the print processing by this interrupt job is terminated, and only the processing of the preceding job is continued. On the other hand, if all the images to be printed in the interrupt job are not printed (NO in step S16007), the process returns to step S16003, and the process for printing the interrupt job on the printing paper output by the preceding job is repeated. And execute.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when a job having a high print priority is input while the print processing of the preceding job is being performed, the print throughput of the preceding job is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to execute print processing for a job having a high priority.

  As described above, even when a new job having a high print priority is input during the printing process in the image forming apparatus, the printing process of the preceding job is continued and the printing process of the subsequent job having a high priority is executed. It becomes possible to do.

  That is, when a new job having a high print priority is input during the printing process in the image forming apparatus, which is a problem in the conventional technology, the time required for the printing process of the preceding job increases. It can be avoided.

<Embodiment 2>
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16, 17, and 18. In the first exemplary embodiment, the configuration in which the image forming apparatus 1002 performs combined printing of the preceding job and the interrupt job without changing the size of the printing paper used at the time of output has been described. Here, the image forming apparatus 1002 normally stores a plurality of types of sizes of printing paper in a sheet storage, and can select and use them appropriately. Therefore, even if it is impossible to print the previous job and the interrupt job on the print paper used for the print job of the previous job, you can change the print paper to be output to a large size and perform composite print. There can be situations.

  Therefore, in such a case, after printing composite printing on the large format printing paper, a post-processing device having a cutting function is used to cut the printing paper to obtain the print result of each job. Is possible. The post-processing apparatus may be mounted on the printing apparatus or may be a single unit.

  Hereinafter, in Embodiment 2, such a configuration will be described.

  Note that the processing procedures in FIGS. 1 to 16 conform to the processing procedures described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a job output result when a second job having a high print priority is input during printing of the first job in the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 17001 denotes an image area printed by the first job processed in advance. Reference numeral 17002 denotes an image area printed by a second job having a high priority that is input during the processing of the first job.

  In the second embodiment, the size of the print paper 17003 for printing the second job with the first job is different from the size of the print paper 17004 for printing the first job before composition. Here, a case is shown in which 500 pages of the second job are printed from the 2460th page to the 2959th page of the first job.

  Next, print control processing of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing print control processing of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the print control procedure of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 18, steps S18001 to S18004 and steps S18005 to S18008 correspond to steps S16001 to S16004 and steps S16005 to S16008 in FIG. 16 of the first embodiment, respectively. Therefore, only the differences will be described in detail for the processing. In FIG. 18, the process of step S18004a is added to FIG. 16.

  If the image forming apparatus 1002 determines in step S18004 that the image area to be printed by the interrupt job can be arranged in the free area determined in step S18003 (YES in step S18004), the process advances to step S18005. .

  On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 1002 determines that the image area to be printed by the interrupt job cannot be arranged in the free area determined in step S18003 (NO in step S18004), the process proceeds to step S18004a.

  In step S18004a, the image forming apparatus 1002 executes print paper selection processing capable of printing images by the first job and the second job shown in FIG. In other words, a printing paper having a size that can include the image areas of the images of the first job and the second job is selected.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 1002 holds the print medium information of each print sheet set in the image forming apparatus as described above. The image forming apparatus 1002 calculates the total size of the image size based on the first job and the image size based on the second job. In step S18004a, the image forming apparatus 1002 selects a print sheet that can include the total size of the image areas obtained by combining the first job and the second job. However, if printing paper of a selectable size is not stored in the sheet storage in the image forming apparatus 1002, the first job and the second job are respectively separate jobs in step S18008. Register in the job queue 14001.

  In step S18005, the image forming apparatus 1002 uses the image processing apparatus 4017 having an image composition function to execute an image composition process for compositing the image by the preceding job and the image by the interrupt job. In step S 18006, the image forming apparatus 1002 transmits the image obtained by combining the preceding job and the interrupt job in step S 18005 to the printer unit 4023 and executes print processing. Here, when the process of step S18004a is executed, the printing process is executed using the selected printing paper.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the image forming apparatus is equipped with printing papers of a plurality of types, the preceding job is as much as possible within the usable printing paper size range. And interrupt printing can be executed. For this reason, it is possible to execute the printing process without delay for both the interrupt job having a high priority and the preceding job.

  In the second embodiment, if it is determined in S18004 that an interrupt job image cannot be arranged in the free area (S18004-No), a print sheet on which the preceding job and the interrupt job image can be arranged is selected. . However, the process of S18004a may be executed without performing the determination process of S18004.

  That is, when the image forming apparatus determines that the input job is an interrupt job, the image forming apparatus calculates the image size based on the preceding job and the image size based on the interrupt job, and adds the two. Then, the image forming apparatus selects a sheet on which an image based on the preceding job and an image based on the interrupt job can be arranged.

<Embodiment 3>
The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16, 19, and 20.

  Note that the processing procedures in FIGS. 1 to 16 conform to the processing procedures described in the first embodiment.

  In describing the third embodiment, the configuration of a printed paper discharge unit (discharge unit) in the image forming apparatus 1002 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printed paper discharge unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 19002 denotes a paper discharge control unit for outputting printed paper output from the image forming apparatus 1002 to a paper discharge tray. Reference numeral 19003 denotes a sample discharge tray that is mounted so as to be exposed to the outside of the casing constituting the discharge unit. In the third embodiment, the sample paper discharge tray 19003 is controlled so that the print paper on which the interrupt job is combined and printed is output. Reference numeral 19004 denotes a large-capacity paper discharge tray built in a housing constituting the paper discharge unit. In the third embodiment, control is performed so that a sheet on which an image of only the preceding job is printed is output to the large-capacity discharge tray 19004. That is, the image forming apparatus 1002 includes a plurality of discharge units for discharging the print medium for which the printing process has been completed, and prints a print sheet on which the image of the preceding job and the image of the interrupt job are printed with a predetermined sample discharge. Output to the tray.

  The paper discharge unit is designated based on a print job to be processed or designation information designated on the operation unit 4002.

  Next, print control processing of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing print control processing of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the print control procedure of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 20, Step S20001 to Step S20006, Step S20007, and Step S20008 correspond to Step S16001 to Step S16006, Step S16007, and Step S16008 of FIG. Therefore, only the differences will be described in detail for the processing. In FIG. 20, the process of step S20006a is added to FIG.

  In step S <b> 20006 a, the image forming apparatus 1002 performs control so that the print result output by combining the preceding job and the interrupt job in step S <b> 20006 is discharged to the sample discharge tray 19003. Specifically, when the image forming apparatus 1002 combines the preceding job and the interrupt job, the image forming apparatus 1002 changes the discharge destination to discharge the print result to the sample tray.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, even when the preceding job has a large number of output sheets, printing by an interrupt job is not required without opening and closing the door of the large capacity discharge unit. The paper can be taken out from the paper discharge unit. Further, it is possible to easily separate the synthesized print result and the unsynthesized print result.

  In the third embodiment, the output destination of the combined job is the sample tray. However, the output destination is not limited to this. That is, the image forming apparatus 1002 can obtain the same effect as described above by discharging the output result based on the job combined with the tray different from the tray specified as the output destination of the preceding job. It becomes. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 1002 may temporarily store the output destination tray of the preceding job and specify a tray different from the tray for the composite job.

<Embodiment 4>
Embodiment 4 is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-16, FIG. 21, and FIG.

  Note that the processing procedures in FIGS. 1 to 16 conform to the processing procedures described in the first embodiment.

  Prior to the description of the fourth embodiment, the configuration of a printed paper discharge unit in the image forming apparatus 1002 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printed paper discharge unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  21002 is a paper discharge control unit for outputting printed paper output from the image forming apparatus 1002 to a paper discharge tray.

  Reference numeral 21003 denotes a first paper discharge tray in the paper discharge unit. In the fourth embodiment, printing paper for printing by the preceding job before the interrupt job is printed is output to the first paper discharge tray 21003.

  Reference numeral 21004 denotes a second paper discharge tray in the paper discharge unit. In the fourth embodiment, a print sheet on which the preceding job and the interrupt job are combined and printed is output to the second discharge tray 21004.

  Reference numeral 21005 denotes a third paper discharge tray in the paper discharge unit. In the fourth embodiment, the print paper of the preceding job after all the interrupt job printing is completed is output to the third paper discharge tray 21005.

  Next, print control processing of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing print control processing of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the print control procedure of the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 22, steps S2001 to S2006, steps S2007, and S2008 correspond to steps S1601 to S1606, steps S1607, and S1608 of FIG. 16 of the first embodiment, respectively. Therefore, only the differences will be described in detail for the processing. Further, in FIG. 22, processing of step S22006a and step S22009 is added to FIG. 16.

  In step S22006a, the image forming apparatus 1002 performs control so that the print sheet on which the image of the preceding job and the interrupt job is combined in step S20006 is discharged to the second discharge tray 21003. As an example of the processing in step S22006a, the image forming apparatus 1002 temporarily stores the output destination tray of the preceding job before composition, and discharges the output result based on the composition job using a tray different from the tray as the output destination. To do.

  Further, after the processing in step S22007, in step S22009, control is performed so that the discharge tray of the preceding job is set to the third discharge tray 21004. As an example of the processing in step S22009, the image forming apparatus 1002 temporarily stores the output destination tray of the preceding job before composition and the output destination tray of the composition job, and uses a tray different from these trays as the output destination. The output result of the preceding job after the composition process is discharged.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when composite printing is performed by a preceding job and an interrupt job, print sheets for printing before composite printing, composite printing, and after composite printing are printed separately. Paper can be discharged to the paper discharge unit. As a result, the printed product can be taken out without requiring a complicated sorting process.

<Embodiment 5>
In the first to fourth embodiments, when an interrupt job occurs, the combined printing of the preceding job and the interrupt job is performed as much as possible. In the fifth embodiment, when the print setting information such as the print paper and print mode used in each job is different, composite printing is prohibited. This print setting is usually given as job attribute information together with the above priority information.

  For example, if the printing paper used for the preceding job is glossy paper and the printing paper used for the interrupt job is plain paper, the user intends to execute composite printing on the printing paper used by one of the two jobs. There is a risk that image quality cannot be obtained. Therefore, if the printing papers used for both jobs are different, it is preferable not to execute the composite printing even in a situation where composite printing is possible (for example, YES in step S16004 in FIG. 16). Therefore, in each of the first to fourth embodiments, before determining whether or not to execute composite printing, the type of print paper used in each of the preceding job and the interrupt job is determined, and only when the same type of print paper is used. Composite printing may be executed.

  Further, as the print mode of the job, there are a print mode for determining a print quality such as high speed / high quality / test print, and a print mode for determining a print color such as monochrome / gray scale / color.

  Even when such a print mode is different between the preceding job and the interrupt job, the same situation as that when the print paper to be used is different may occur. Therefore, in each of the first to fourth embodiments, before determining whether or not to execute composite printing, the type of print mode used for each preceding job and interrupt job is determined, and only when the same type of print mode is used. Composite printing may be executed.

  That is, in the fifth embodiment, when the setting contents of the designated print setting item in the print setting information are different between the preceding job and the interrupt job, the image forming apparatus 1002 prints the images of the preceding job and the interrupt job differently. Control to print to media. For example, the image forming apparatus 1002 compares the print setting information between the preceding job and the interrupt job, and as a result of the comparison, the designated print setting item (for example, print paper type, size, print mode, etc.) is compared. Based on this, the execution / prohibition of both composite printing is controlled. This comparison can be performed based on the print setting information of the print job to be processed or the designation information designated by the operation unit 4002.

  Note that printing paper, which is a printing medium used in the present invention, includes not only paper used in general recording apparatuses but also cloth, plastic film, metal plate, and the like. Further, the printing method is not limited to the laser beam method illustrated in FIG. 3, and various printing methods such as an inkjet method and a thermal transfer method can be used.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the drawing) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, and an optical disk. Further, as a recording medium, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), etc. is there.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from a homepage of the connection destination to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Further, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image editing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main controller of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a finisher unit that can be attached to the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a large-capacity stacker device that can be attached to the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation screen of application software provided with the image editing function which operate | moves on the image editing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is an overview diagram showing an operation screen of printer driver software operating on the image editing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a general-view figure which shows the outline | summary of the job monitoring software which operate | moves on the job monitoring apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detection example when a portion (empty area) where printing is not performed on a print sheet is detected based on print data included in a job on the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detection example when a portion (empty area) where printing is not performed on a print sheet is detected based on print data included in a job on the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a printing position when printing an image held in advance in the image forming apparatus 1002 in the empty area of the printing paper described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described. FIG. In the image forming apparatus 1002 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first image by the first job processed in advance and the second image by the second job different from the first job are printed. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the printing paper at the time of performing, and the position of an image. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a job queue for managing jobs when a plurality of jobs are received in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a job output result when a second job having a high print priority is input during printing of the first job in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating print control processing of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a job output result when a second job having a high print priority is input during printing of the first job in the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing print control processing of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the paper discharge part of the printed paper of Embodiment 3 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing of the image forming apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the paper discharge part of the printed paper of Embodiment 4 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing print control processing of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of print medium information held by the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

4001 Main controller 4002 Operation unit 4003 Network cable 4004 Line cable 4005 CPU
4006 RAM
4007 Operation unit I / F

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus that prints an image on a print medium based on a job related to printing,
Print control means for printing a first image based on the first job on a first print medium;
Discrimination for discriminating an empty area on the first print medium in which a first image based on the first job is not arranged when a second job to be processed by interrupting the first job is input Means,
When the second image based on the second job cannot be arranged in the free area of the first print medium determined by the determination unit, the first image and the first image are extracted from the first print medium. Change means for changing to a second print medium larger than the first print medium on which both the second image and the second image can be arranged,
The print control unit prints the first image on the first print medium for the first image based on the first job before the second job is input, and the second image After the job is input, when the change unit changes the first print medium to the second print medium, both the first image and the second image are printed on the second print medium. If the second image based on the second job can be arranged in the free area of the first print medium determined by the determining means, the printing is controlled as described above. An image forming apparatus , wherein printing is controlled so that both the first image and the second image are printed on one printing medium . The second print medium on which both the first image and the second image are printed is printed, and after the printing based on the second job is finished, the first image based on the first job remains. The changing means changes the second printing medium to the first printing medium, and the printing control means changes the first printing medium changed by the changing means to the first printing medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is controlled so that a first image based on one job is printed. A plurality of discharge means for discharging the print medium for which the printing process has been completed;
The print control unit discharges the first print medium on which the first image is printed to a first discharge unit, and the second image on which both the first image and the second image are printed. The print medium is discharged to a second discharge unit, and the first print medium on which the first image is printed after the second print medium is printed is discharged to a third discharge unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled. In the first job and the second job, if the type of print medium set in the first job is different from the type of print medium set in the second job, the print control means The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein printing is controlled so that the first image and the second image are printed on different print media. A control method of an image forming apparatus that prints an image on a print medium based on a job related to printing,
A print control step in which the print control means prints the first image based on the first job on the first print medium;
An empty area on the first print medium in which a first image based on the first job is not arranged when a second job to be processed by interrupting the first job is input by the determination unit A discriminating step for discriminating;
When the changing unit is unable to place the second image based on the second job in the free area of the first print medium determined in the determination step, the first print medium starts with the first print medium. A change step of changing both the one image and the second image to a second print medium larger than the first print medium capable of being arranged,
The printing control step prints the first image on the first print medium for the first image based on the first job before the second job is input, After the job is input, when the first printing medium is changed to the second printing medium by the changing step, both the first image and the second image are printed on the second printing medium. If the second image based on the second job can be arranged in the free area of the first print medium determined by the determining means, the printing is controlled as described above. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, wherein printing is controlled so that both the first image and the second image are printed on one printing medium . The second print medium on which both the first image and the second image are printed is printed, and after the printing based on the second job is finished, the first image based on the first job remains. The changing step changes from the second printing medium to the first printing medium, and the printing control step leaves the first printing medium changed in the changing step. 6. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein printing is controlled so that a first image based on one job is printed. The printing control step discharges the first print medium on which the first image is printed out of a plurality of discharge units to the first discharge unit, and both the first image and the second image are The printed second print medium is discharged to a second discharge section, and the first print medium on which the first image is printed after the second print medium is printed is discharged to a third position. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control is performed so that the paper is discharged to a part. In the first job and the second job, when the type of the print medium set in the first job and the type of the print medium set in the second job are different, the print control step 8. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein printing is controlled such that the first image and the second image are printed on different print media. A program for causing a computer to control an image forming apparatus that prints an image on a print medium based on a job related to printing,
The computer,
Print control means for printing a first image based on the first job on a first print medium;
Discrimination for discriminating an empty area on the first print medium in which a first image based on the first job is not arranged when a second job to be processed by interrupting the first job is input Means,
When the second image based on the second job cannot be arranged in the free area of the first print medium determined by the determination unit, the first image and the first image are extracted from the first print medium. Functioning as changing means for changing to a second print medium larger than the first print medium capable of arranging both the second image and the second image;
The print control unit prints the first image on the first print medium for the first image based on the first job before the second job is input, and the second image After the job is input, when the change unit changes the first print medium to the second print medium, both the first image and the second image are printed on the second print medium. If the second image based on the second job can be arranged in the free area of the first print medium determined by the determining means, the printing is controlled as described above. A program for controlling printing so that both the first image and the second image are printed on one print medium .

Images